Veteran actor Jaya Bachchan talked about the unequal pay for men and women across different field. Addressing the same concern in an episode, One Crown, Many Shoes in the podcast titled What The Hell Navya Naveli, Jaya’s granddaughter mentioned that women are paid not in equal terms with men in fact paid lesser. She also cited real-word examples wherein the male counterparts are paid more in sports like tennis and basketball.
Navya asked Jaya and her mother Shweta Bachchan that why is this indifference so prevalent and what can be done to solve it. Jaya answered “The insecurity of a man, who’s sitting at the head of it. Actually, he’s insecure and that’s why he finds it easier to put a woman down in every field and in every way and this is the outcome of that kind of a mindset…”
She added, “For centuries women have never stood up for themselves. There are exceptions, but now it’s changing the younger generation it’s changing and it’s also because mothers are realising that my daughter and my son are as good as each other.”
Jaya further averred, “Educated women also have double standards, which is so sad. Sometimes I want to say it but do not feel good about saying it, but sometimes women are their own enemies. Of course, it’s also the father’s responsibility.”
Jaya has predominantly featured in Hindi films for over a decade. She debuted in Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar in 1963. As an adult, she was seen in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Guddi (1971). She featured in many films like Uphaar (1971), Koshish (1972), Zanjeer and Abhimaan (1973), Kora Kagaz (1974), Chupke Chupke, Mili and Sholay (1975), Silsila (1981), Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998), Fiza (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and many more.
Jaya will next feature in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Co-starring Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh which is slated to release on April 2023.
